Aspergillosis

Background

  • Primary affects lung
  • Mold: Hyphae that branches 45°
  • Inhalation

Clinical Features

Allergic Bronchopulmonary Aspergillosis (ABPA)

Chronic Necrotizing Aspergillosis Pneumonia (CNPA)

Aspergilloma (Fungus ball)

  • Preexisting cavitary lung disease (Tb, sarcoidosis) or cystic lesion (PCP)
  • Hemoptysis, cough and fever
  • Asymptomatic radiographic abnormality

Invasive aspergillosis

Differential Diagnosis

Causes of Pneumonia

Bacteria

Viral

Fungal

Parasitic

Evaluation

  • ABPA
    • Eosinophilia
    • Skin test + for A. Fumigatus
    • Serum IgE > 1000 IU/dL or > x 2-fold rise from baseline
    • Aspergillus precipitins +
    • Aspergillus radioallergosorbent assay test + and sputum culture
    • CXR: Fleeting pulmonary infiltrates, mucoid impaction, central bronchiectasis
    • CT chest: Bronchiectasis, lobulated masses that are mucus-filled dilate bronchi
  • Aspergilloma
    • Precipitin Ab test +
    • CXR/CT: Mass in preexisting cavity, often in upper lobe (crescent of air outlining solid mass)
  • Invasive aspergillosis and CNPA
    • Visualization of fungi (Silver stain)
    • Positive culture from sputum, needle biopsy, or BAL
    • Galactomannan level
    • CXR: Nodules, cavitary lesions, alveolar infiltrates
    • CT chest: Halo sign, screscent of air surrounding nodules, wedge-shaped or pleural-based infiltrates, cavitation, pulmonary infarction

Special Population: Cystic Fibrosis

  • Diagnosis: Clinical deterioration; IgE> 1000IU/mL or > 2-4x baseline; + serology; new infiltrate
  • Treatment: New radiologic finding and symptoms and change in baseline IgE >500 IU/mL

Management

Disposition

  • Invasive aspergillosis often requires admission
  • Admit if massive hemoptysis
  • ABPA usually managed outpatient

See Also

External Links

References